The Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves (FCHAP) is a Citizen Support Organization for the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park.

About the Friends

The Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, Inc., (FCHAP) is a nonprofit Citizen Support Organization that assists the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in the management of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves :
·         Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve
·         Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve
·         Gasparilla Sound - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve
·         Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve
·         Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve
·         Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

FCHAP is comprised of a Board of Directors, citizen members, and volunteers who are committed to protecting Charlotte Harbor and the adjacent public lands.

The Friends are always seeking new general members and board members. The FCHAP Board holds 6 to 8 meetings per year and does not normally meet during the months of June, July, November, or December. The FCHAP annual meeting is held in February, when new board members and officers are chosen.

Great American Cleanup

The Friends hosted a Great American Clean-up site in Bokeelia at the Coast Connection Family Boating Center. Special thanks to the wonderful Marina and DEP staff for their support! Thirteen volunteers came out to help and filled up a 2 yard dumpster. Thanks as well to Ed Chapin of Calusa Land Trust who came out to show support for FCHAP! 
 
The Friends will be taking a hiatus this summer for the months of June and July, but we will resume our normal board meetings again in August. Check back in with us later this summer for our Fall 2010 schedule of events!